HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Helen O'Connell

Birth of Swing Jazz: Helen O'Connell

Helen O'Connell

Born in Lima, Ohio, on 23 May 1920, Helen O'Connell was nineteen when she joined the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra in 1939. She'd already been appearing in clubs and on radio in Toledo, and was working in Greenwich Village with the band of Larry Funk when noticed by Jimmy's manager. Her first title with Jimmy's operation was 'Romance Runs in the Family' (Decca 2294), recorded on February 10, 1939 [DAHR / Lord]. O'Connell first appeared in film with Jimmy per 'The Fleet's In' in 1942 [IMDB], a movie to which Johnny Mercer supplied ten songs.

'‎Romance Runs In the Family' Helen O'Connell backed by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

O'Connell's first-known recording

‎10 Feb 1939 in NYC Matrix 65005-A Decca 2294 / Ajax 141 / 505

Composition: Al Hoffman / Al Goodhart / Manny Kurtz

'‎Six Lessons From Madame La Zonga' Helen O'Connell backed by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

‎9 April 1940 in NYC Matrix 67508-A Decca 3152

Music: James V. Monaco Lyrics: Charles Newman

'Green Eyes' Helen O'Connell w Bob Eberly backed by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

‎19 March 1941 in NYC Matrix 68840-A Decca 3698

Music: Nilo Menendez Lyrics: Adolfo Utrera English: Louis Wolfe Gilbert

'Drop Me a Line' Helen O'Connell backed by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

‎3 Dec 1941 in NYC Matrix 69996-A Decca 4165 / Ajaz 245

Composition: Jack Fascinato / Jack Elliott

'Tangerine' Helen O'Connell w Bob Eberly backed by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

‎From the film 'The Fleet's In' directed by Victor Schertzinger

Schertzinger died of heart attack on 26 Oct 1941 briefly before the film was finished.

It was wrapped up by Ralphy Murphy.

Released in Detroit 6 March 1942

Composition: Schertzinger Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

IMDb Letterboxd TCM Vintage Cameo Wikipedia

Helen bounced with Jimmy until she got married to one Clifford Smith Jr. in 1943, resuming her career in 1951 upon divorce. During that period she had joined Jimmy long enough in 1946 to film 'The Fabulous Dorseys' released the next year.

'Green Eyes' Helen O'Connell w Bob Eberly backed by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

‎From the film 'The Fabulous Dorseys' directed by Alfred E. Green

Released on 21 Feb 1947

Music: Nilo Menendez Lyrics: Adolfo Utrera English: Louis Wolfe Gilbert

IMDb TCM Wikipedia

Upon returning to her career in 1951, O'Connell recorded 'How D'ya Like Your Eggs In the Morning' backed with 'We Never Talk Much, We Just Sit Around' with Dean Martin. She soon followed that with the issue of her most popular title, 'Slow Poke' (Capitol 1837), backed by Cliffie Stone. She worked with Bing Crosby in various capacities in the early fifties including the Bing Crosby radio show for General Electric. Also in 1954 she appeared with Tommy Dorsey on the CBS New York telecast of 'Stage Show'. O'Connell toured to Australia in 1955 as a support act for main draw, Johnnie Ray. She featured on 'Stage Show' again in 1956 with Tommy.

'How D'ya Like Your Eggs In the Morning'

Helen O'Connell w Dean Martin backed by the Dick Stabile Orchestra

‎Issued 18 June 1951 on Capitol 1575 A

Composition: Sammy Cahn / Nicholas Brodzsky From the 1951 film 'Rich, Young and Pretty'

'We Never Talk Much, We Just Sit Around'

Helen O'Connell w Dean Martin backed by the Dick Stabile Orchestra

‎Issued 18 June 1951 on Capitol 1575 B

Composition: Sammy Cahn / Nicholas Brodzsky From the 1951 film 'Rich, Young and Pretty'

'Slow Poke' Helen O'Connell backed by Cliffie Stone

‎Issued 24 Nov 1951 on Capitol F1837

Composition: Chilton Price / Pee Wee King

'Surrey with the Fringe on Top' Helen O'Connell w Bing Crosby Radio

‎7 Feb 1954 broadcast of the 'Bing Crosby Show' for General Electric

Music: Richard Rodgers Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II

Discogs has Helen issuing the LP, 'Green Eyes', in 1957, the same year she married author, Tom Chamales, until his death in 1960. O'Connell reunited with Jimmy and frequent singing partner, Bob Eberly, as late as 1960 on the telecast of 'Ford Star Time Presents Stars of the Swing Years'. O'Connell hosted the 1961-62 season of the 'Here's Hollywood' television show with Dean Miller.

'Star Eyes' Helen O'Connell w Marion Evans and His Orchestra

‎From the 1957 album 'Green Eyes' on Vik LX-1093 / RCA BVCJ-2031

Composition: Don Raye / Gene De Paul

Discogs

'Who Cares' Helen O'Connell w Marion Evans and His Orchestra

‎From the 1962 album 'Here's Helen' on RCA Camden CAS 706 / RCA RJL-2694

Album recorded Dec 1957 / Feb 1958

Composition: Gershwin Brothers Arrangement: Evans

Discogs

'All of Me' Helen O'Connell backed by the Lou Busch Orchestra

‎Oct 1960 in Los Angeles Matrix C11602

From the 1961 album 'Recapturing the Excitement of the Jimmy Dorsey Era'

Alto sax / clarinet: Skeets Herfurt Piano: Busch

Composition: Gerald Marks / Seymour Simons

Discogs

'Moon River' Helen O'Connell backed by the Little Red Blount Quartet

‎1961 in NYC

See the compilation 'The Sweetest Sounds' on Hindsight HCD251

Music: Henry Mancini Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

'Not Mine' Helen O'Connell backed by the Little Red Blount Quartet

‎1961 in NYC

See the compilation 'The Sweetest Sounds' on Hindsight HCD251

Music: Victor Schertzinger Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

O'Connell released the LP, 'Here's Helen', in 1962. 'Helen O'' followed in 1971. From 1972 to 1980 she hosted the Miss USA and Miss Universe beauty pageants with Bob Barker.